My first time in Venice was freezing cold.  Misty. Raining.  Dark. Sinister.  I really did get nervous walking alone to my Air bnb after dropping my daughter back to the last train home to Trieste, and making my way to dinner at a friend’s home on the island of Lido. The canals were murky and the rain was heavy but the Venetians plough on, unperturbed.

I had a flight back home early the next morning from Venice International.  And I was distraught and overwhelmed at saying goodbye.

We had just spent the gloomiest day, thankfully without any acqua alta, in the Piazza San Marco, deserted, all the tourist umbrellas folded up.  The Piazza was beautiful, elegant.  The Doge’s Palace was beautiful too.  I loved the Bridge of Sighs, the canal boat rides and the moody rain.  We were freezing, wet and trying not to cry at my departure.

We staggered into a lesser known cafe in the piazza. It was  old style, with wood panels and a live musician playing.  In an effort to cheer up, we splurged on treats and then spent the better part of an hour there before we finally caught the boat back to the station.

I then had to go all the way across to the island of Lido for a very special dinner party at the lovely Gio’s home.

I was so excited.  An actual invitation to a home in Venice. And what a master chef Gio turned out to be: he had shipped the best seafood available  that day.  All kinds of wonderful fresh fish and crustaceans    and I dipped into the banquet as his neighbours shared the feast with us. 

I finally made it home all the way to my cosy room, and gave into tears at going home.

Venice was moody, gloomy and filled with character.  Yes, I went back several times and love it even more when it is gloomy and dark and lonely.